President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a law “On introduction of changes and amendments to laws “On elections to Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan” and “On elections to regional, district and city Councils of People’s Deputies” in connection with further ensuring freedom of election and development of election legislation” on 19 December 2012.

Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan passed the law on 1 November 2012 and Senate approved the law on 5 December 2012.

The law came into force on 20 December 2012.

Laws, in particular, regulate announcing results of polls on elections. The documents ban to announce results of polls and forecasts, or other researches related to upcoming elections, including placement at internet, within three days of election and on election day.

In particular, “pre-election agitation” is determined as activity in election campaign and directed at motivating to vote for candidate or political party. MPs noted that this is fully corresponds to laws of the most of developed democratic states.

The law also regulates issues of pre-election campaign in non-state media. MPs noted that use of non-state media in election campaigns will ensure transparency and openness of election campaigns.

The document said that the payment and terms for publishing agitation materials, set by non-state mass media, should be equal for all.

The law also sets norms, which ban agitation at election days and a day before elections. The document also regulates issues on holding preschedule voting. The preschedule voting starts 10 days before election day and ends on election day. Local election commissions determine the dates of preschedule elections. (Source: UzDaily.com)